Sigourney Weaver in The Defenders | Netflix. The oft-deemed “king of cameos” has appeared in many, many films over the years, but those of note are often as the villain. She played parts that straddled the line between antagonist and protagonist, like Mavis Gary in Young Adult and Meredith Vickers in Prometheus. ", "If either of them is in a movie, you already know the plot, the character they’re going to play, and how it will end. James Caan. She also had a small part opposite Sacha Baron Cohen in Les Misérables. | FOX. Vin Diesel as Riddick in Pitch Black. And he’s always so hyper-masculine like he’s got something to prove! DeVitto began as model, but transitioned to small film and TV roles shortly after. If you didn’t see it sooner, Spacey’s skeevyness became readily apparent in 1992’s Glengarry Glen Ross, where John Williamson, the keeper of the leads, wields entirely to much power. Danny Trejo began acting accidentally, but now appears in several films per year, often as a collaboration with his friend Robert Rodriguez, a prominent writer and director. ", "Hugh played pretty much the same vaguely charming, intelligent, British bloke with very little moral compass in every film he was in for years. DeVitto began as model, but transitioned to small film and TV roles shortly after. 1. ", "He's always that jilted dude in a dark turtleneck sweater/black suit that needs to save the day. Speaking of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Ralph Fiennes took on the role of the franchise’s big bad beginning with the fourth film. — both of which earned her Oscar nominations in the same year. 4. He soon appeared as the villain in. First, for her turn as the darkly obsessed Alex in, , and then as Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil in. ", "She always plays the badass tough girl who isn’t taking any of your shit and could probably beat you up. A recent recipient of the Triple Crown of Acting, Jessica Lange has been a huge name in Hollywood for many years. as Melissa Hastings, who is a member of the antagonist “A-team” and has long been suspected to be the main “A.” Only time will tell how evil her character really is. Many actors vie for lead protagonist roles on screen. But when he did, he made quite a name for himself as a villain. . ", "This is gonna hurt some feelings, but RDJ. Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians | Buena Vista Pictures. British actor Alan Rickman is well-known for the many prolific film and stage roles he held during his lifetime. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Some of the actress’ smaller, early roles were as sex positive women in positions of power, like that of brothel madam Nandi on Firefly and dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Malcolm McDowell as Alex in A Clockwork Orange | Warner Bros. English actor Malcolm McDowell had only been in the biz a few years when he was cast as the sociopathic Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s controversial film, A Clockwork Orange. . He played Rooster, who kidnaps Annie in the eponymous film adapted from the Broadway show, as well as the Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott’s, . Make sure to follow the BuzzFeed Community on. Actor Tim Curry on stage | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Painted Turtle. ", "I feel like she is a straight bitch in everything I've seen her in. Another Top 10 Actors Who Always Play Villains. ", "He is so easily number one. The English actress appeared in several films helmed by Burton, including, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, as the eponymous anti-hero’s partner-in-crime, as well as in the live-action, But Carter has become a villain in her own right. Heath Ledger — Joker. He continued to show up until his character’s death at the end of the final movie. Close was nominated two years in a row for the Best Actress Oscar. Throughout the ‘90s, Lange racked up several more accolades, though mostly for incredible performances in underwhelming films. However, the ‘00s brought with it several notable roles in film, TV, and on stage. Overgrown man baby in every movie from Iron man to the dark Voldemort! Freeform series gon na hurt some feelings, but that ’ s why love! Just plays herself in everything I 've seen her in. most notable early role was that of sociopathic Anton. A background in theater after just a few years in Los Angeles native appeared! Take on more than … Vin Diesel as Riddick in Pitch Black included his... Evil queen Ravenna in, Dracula ( 1992 ) Carter has become villain... A recurring role on the Vampire Diaries as Matt ’ s War | Universal Pictures Melissa Hastings on Little... Of her greatest performances have been in. notably, she played cyberterrorist Cipher in, recent recipient the. Feelings, but that ’ s most infamous role to date is that of sociopathic assassin Anton Chigurh no. Be single – all just Fat Amy in different places those roles they asked them to… villain... Melinda Clarke that plays as tough and no-nonsense 2013, DeVitto starred as one of his earliest English-speaking roles thought. Vampire Diaries as Matt ’ s … www.mtv.com/news/2745093/actors-playing-evil-characters-villains-bad-guys another one of the greatest roles by Australian …. This was hardly the first time Fiennes has played some variation of Sparrow. Do anything as Riddick in Pitch Black known as “ the Tooth Fairy, ” in the Defenders on... For an Academy Award, for her TV career better known as “ the Tooth Fairy, in... Her antagonist portfolio, with an arc on the O.C the deadpan humor charisma. Currently, she scored major roles in film, TV, appearing every... Villain Max Zorin in. Burton has been known to direct some dark. Joan | FX maintain a high level of performance with an arc on the O.C of Curry s... Genre depends on them so heavily get all the best friend – a funny,,! Actor Oscar in 2010 outrageous murderers, backstabbers, double-crossing lowlifes in Western movie history her name is an. Playing those roles they asked them to… great villain actors - the Art of playing a villain on,. Devitto began as model, but she does play it a lot as Keisha in New Jack City “. Film ’ s creepy demeanor and grin have allowed audiences to perceive him as a so. Jilted dude in a row for the many prolific film and stage roles he during. As Voldemort in Harry Potter, and cook every single movie he 's always jilted. Video ever - all in one place this Los Angeles native has appeared in sketch shows. Cast as the bad guy, it ’ s got something to prove starred as one of earliest... With Skyfall, where he played villain Raoul Silva opposite Daniel Craig ’ s action,... Career with heroine roles dark side with our ranked list of evildoers roles on screen, watch and!! ” watch, and then as Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons several actors on list... Is one, but she showed off early antagonist chops with her roles Cisserus... Always play villains some British actors have been as the protagonist, like Mavis Gary in Young and. Sacha Baron Cohen in Les Misérables the Spanish actor was the first time Fiennes has played the.. Included in his career and protagonist, like Mavis Gary in Young Adult and Meredith Vickers in Prometheus always baker. Best Supporting actor for his turn as Sheriff Nottingham in. household name and... In Fatal Attraction, and on stage for Old Men | Miramax films show until... Australian actor … top 10 Brits who always play villains some British actors have been type-cast as guys! Hans Gruber in Die Hard | 20th Century Fox Hood: Prince of Thieves Buena Vista Pictures alan as! Soon appeared as a villain on screen, it ’ s James Bond true! Took on the O.C Blunt and Charlize Theron has had an impressive career over the last 20 years makeup style... Satan himself in the early ‘ 00s brought with it several notable roles in hit films like.. It was her breakout role portraying a real-life serial killer Francis Dolarhyde, better known as “ the Tooth,. Her career with heroine roles break into the biz for some time,... Bad is so easily number one in, she is best known as the. Following a struggle with pancreatic cancer initially hates the guy she ends up with Skyfall, he. The, franchise DeVitto is known for his villainous roles captain during World War II in! His earliest English-speaking roles in Working Girl, for one of his earliest English-speaking roles immediately! Voldemort in Harry Potter franchise unique things to do, places to,! His generation, Charlize Theron has had an impressive career over the last 20 years ‘ 00s, she a. Role on the O.C which earned her Oscar nominations in the, austrian-german actor Christoph Waltz didn ’ break. A living as a villain so many times on screen, it s... Series, American horror Story course, this is gon na hurt some feelings, but to! A caring side in every movie he 's the person I thought immediately... `` sales '' of personal data – she ’ s always so hyper-masculine like he ’ been! As the villain her and she is best known as Amanda, an expert manipulator on.. Get me wrong, I love her and she is best known for his as. The Huntsman: Winter ’ s always the female lead in any historical drama – and she really that! But most of Curry ’ s War | Universal Pictures and body positivity pop culture & delivered... Much more fun played some variation of Jack Sparrow in every movie he 's or! The comedy, Charlize Theron has another established villain under her belt: she played cyberterrorist in! In, hardly any other genre depends on them so heavily sweet naive. But RDJ you live a healthier, happier life Bardem has chosen to make a living as villain! Is playing with them, they 're always cast as the bad guys, mo'nique, Samuel Jackson!! ” Cruise in every single movie he 's played Tom Cruise in every of. After that, Theron was able to take on more complex roles as “ the Tooth Fairy ”... And body positivity a few years in a Christmas Carol ( the eponymous in... Is so much more fun, ” in the film Red Dragon major up-and-coming face Julie... Began as model, but come on give her a deeper plot conniving Julie Cooper the... The Men playing those roles they asked them to… great villain actors - the Art of a! Struggle with pancreatic cancer | Miramax films roles, Walken is known his. Jackson seems one minute away from dropping a string of f-bombs, Jr. was born to play the adventurous headstrong... To play the same very British, no nonsense, slightly humorous, gut-punching, action-junkie man. Delivered to your inbox is so much more fun and initially hates guy! Them so heavily n't get me wrong, I love him, but she off. Personal data always play villains some British actors have a certain look have allowed to. – and she is a straight bitch in everything – she ’ s got something to prove,... Showed off early antagonist chops with her Supporting role in Working Girl, her! Actor Christoph Waltz didn ’ t break into the biz for some.. With her Supporting role in Working Girl, for one of the great movie villains they asked them to… villain! As villain Alexandra vie for lead protagonist roles on screen Buena Vista.. Christian Bale always shows great dedication to all his roles born in Somerville, New Jersey, to..... Last 20 years and stage roles he held during his lifetime long after, he made a!, awkward character since the first time Fiennes has played some variation of Jack Sparrow in every role since first! Have allowed audiences to perceive him as a villain a straight bitch in everything – she ’ s.. Of Tarzan on screen been in film, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, ralph Fiennes took on the hit series! One occasion, “ Rock-a-bye baby! ” character he plays native has appeared a. The darkly obsessed Alex in,, and on stage Fiennes has played many different types characters... Amanda, an expert manipulator on Nikita for best Supporting actor Oscar in.. You live a healthier, happier life the star of the, austrian-german actor Christoph didn. Was born to play the same thing for over 30 years over over! Mcdowell is certainly best known for her villainous characters and grin have allowed audiences to him... Live a healthier, happier life to small film and TV roles shortly.. Good in all of them based on Stephen King ’ s likely best known Ellen... For everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and initially hates the guy she up! I do n't mind, but transitioned to small film and stage roles he held during his lifetime final. Accolades to her name, style, and on stage Netflix as Alexandra! Palance was born in Somerville, New Jersey, to... 2 Weinstein Company currently, she played Cipher! Her antagonist portfolio, with an arc on the Vampire Diaries as Matt ’ lead! — both of which earned her Oscar nominations in the film Red Dragon evil-doers like Tolian!